International high school students who participate in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX), Partnerships for Learning, Youth Exchange and Study Program (P4L-YES), and the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) programs are among more than 30,000 annual exchange program participants managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Partnerships for Learning, Youth Exchange and Study Program students met with President George W. Bush on June 13, 2005.  The students were received in the Rose Garden at the White House.

Other exchange programs the Department of State sponsors include the Fulbright Program and the International Visitor Leadership Program. The goal of all of the ECA exchanges is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other nations. In addition to U.S. Government-sponsored programs, thousands of students participate in exchange programs here and abroad through private youth exchange organizations.

A special thanks to the students and to the organizations who helped collect these great essays: AFS-USA, Inc., American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS, AYUSA International, Council on International Educational Exchange, Iowa Resource for International Service, PAX-Program Academic Exchange, and Youth For Understanding USA.

Afghanistan: Elyas
Brazil: Daniel
Brazil: Douglas
Egypt: Ahmed
Egypt: Akram
Georgia: Mariam
Germany: Carmen
Germany: Julia
Germany: Mona
Germany: Peter
Indonesia: Indah
Indonesia: Sebrina
Malaysia: Alvin
Malaysia: Andrew
Malaysia: Ee Mun
Malaysia: Jessica
Malaysia: Muhammad
Malaysia: Yuanying
Nigeria: Aminu
Nigeria: Maryam